Kilbarchan, Main Street 1884

Photo ref: K108001

More about this scene

In the mid 18th century, the town was noted for weaving: there were more than 1,000 handlooms in operation in the area. The advent of the power-loom, however, brought about a decline, but by 1900 new industries had sprung up, including printing at Locher Mill, a laundry at Glentyan Mill and flax and paper mills at Johnstone.  On the steeple of the church is a statue of Habbie Simpson, a well-known piper of the late 16th century.